T6 - 6.1B Ethan Rugh, Kaitlyn Gray (Battle of Bunker Hill)

The Boston Times


July 1, 1775

THE BLOODY BATTLE ON BUNKER HILL



Recently, another fight broke out between the Americans and the British. The British Troops and the American Colonists had a battle on Bunker Hill. They both wanted it for the same reason; they wanted control over Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill. It was a large yet short battle. The Patriots took action first, firing at the British. Many people were involved in this war.

The Battle of Bunker Hill had the British troops and the American colonists fighting against each other. The British were lead by Major General William Howe. The Americans were lead by General Artemas Ward and General Israel Putnam. There were 2,400 British troops and 1,500 American colonists. General Gage commanded the British go across the harbor and attack the American colonists’ fortifications, yet he was never really involved in the war itself. Major William Prescott said, " Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes!" The battle was located on a peninsula with two hills on it.

The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on Bunker Hill and Breed’s Hill, which is on the Charlestown peninsula. The British traveled across the Boston Harbor to get to the Charlestown Peninsula. The Battle of Bunker Hill was a couple days ago on June 17, 1775. On June 15, the Americans found out that the British planned on occupying Charlestown, making the Americans act first. The battle was underway in the afternoon, and only lasted a couple of hours. This battle started like many others, wanting of more land.

The battle started because the British wanted to gain control over Bunker Hill. The British sent three separate waves of infantry onto Bunker Hill against the Americans. The Americans retreated onto Breed’s Hill. The American’s had victory in the first two waves, yet the British won the final wave. The battle went down as a British victory, after many men gave their lives.

As we all know, the British have the best army in the world. However, 1,000 redcoats lay dead or wounded after the fight, while the Americans only lost 400. Those numbers are surprising considering that George Washington has not even made it to Boston yet. Recently most of the battles have been around Boston. We hope for less conflict in the future.